Aaron Dahlstrom ‘03 - Engineering major from King of Prussia, PA

Aaron Dahlstrom came to Messiah from Upper Merion Area High School in King of Prussia, PA. In search of a Christian college with an excellent engineering program, Messiah’s engineering faculty impressed Aaron with their approachability, vision, and creativity.

While at Messiah College, Aaron helped start a student organization that addressed the humanitarian hazards caused by landmines abandoned in conflict zones. His team created an educational minefield that sounded an airhorn when entrants triggered simulated mines. This project was then used as an educational tool with students at Messiah and with diplomats in Washington, D.C.

Aaron took advantage of Messiah’s study abroad opportunities by spending five months as an exchange student in Ecuador studying, exploring, and camping in the Andes. He also lived in Messiah’s SALT House for two years, a service-centered community house where residents eat common meals, study scripture and pray together, and live out a service vocation.

Currently working as a mechanical engineer with AKF Engineers, a consulting firm in downtown Philadelphia, Aaron recalls how Messiah provided a broad technical foundation which was easy to build on as a practicing professional. “The best part of my academic preparation was developing a relationship with the engineering faculty where I could observe their vision, integrity, and creativity; these characteristics shaped how I would use my academic skills and continue to influence my practice today.”

Aaron has used these skills to analyze and design heating and cooling systems for various buildings, including a cancer care center for Memorial Sloan Kettering, the USA headquarters for GMAC Mortgage, and a new high-rise dormitory for Drexel University. With an expertise in low-energy, environmentally-friendly design, Aaron is currently working on two projects that expect to generate as much energy as they consume, one of which intends to compete in the Living Building Challenge .